Plans to expand scope of Glasgow's low emission zone to all vehicles set for June 2023

Plans to widen the scope of Glasgow’s low emission zone to include all vehicles have moved further forward.

Glasgow City Council has set out proposals to expand the zone in the city centre from June 1 next year.

Currently, the scheme only impacts on local service buses in the city, having been introduced in 2018.

It has led to a rise in the proportion of low and zero emission buses travelling through the city centre.

However, the council is aiming to step up its efforts to tackle the level of air pollution by seeking to significantly widen the scope of the scheme to include all vehicles driving into the zone, unless exempt.

Councillors have given consideration to evidence over the expansion of the scheme, including an objections report following details of the scheme being published last December.

But, they have insisted that the “pressing need” to address the negative health impacts arising from air pollution, combined with practical support made available to those most affected, means that “no further changes”, including its implementation timetable, are expected.

Councillor Anna Richardson, city convener for sustainability and carbon reduction, explained that there will be continued publicity of the scheme as the council moves towards its full implementation.

“Seeking to restrict the most polluting vehicles from the zone area is the right thing to do to ensure that we mitigate the disproportionate impacts of air pollution upon the most vulnerable in our society,” she said.

“I’m heartened that the full roll-out of our LEZ continues to make progress and that we are another step closer toward increasing its effectiveness by widening its reach to include all vehicles.

“As we move toward full implementation, there will be continued publicity of the scheme and we shall continue to support a wide range of projects and initiatives that ease LEZ compliance including those that encourage higher levels of active and more sustainable travel and a reduced reliance on private vehicles.”